How to Rise from the Ashes?
Life isn’t always fair. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, things just don’t go your way. Other times, it’s not about you, it’s the people around you, circumstances beyond your control, or sheer bad luck. And when life hits hardest, it can feel like betrayal, like someone poured you a glass of wine, only to tell you after the last sip that it was poisoned. I’ve been through these moments. More than once. And while I don’t claim to have all the answers, here’s what I’ve learned from clawing my way out of the ashes. It works everytime.
- Do Not Act Immediately
When you’re down and out, the instinct is to do something. Often, it’s something impulsive, driven by rage, hurt, or despair. But acting in the heat of emotion usually makes things worse. Pause. Breathe. Let the storm pass inside you before making a move. Paper is more patient than a man.
- Return to Your Values and Mission
Ask yourself: What truly matters to me? What helps me sleep at night? Your values are your compass, especially when the world feels directionless.I’ve shared mine in few earlier posts, and I revisit them often to make sure I’m still aligned. Don’t compromise your core beliefs. While values can evolve, betraying them for short-term gains is like shaking hands with the devil. Without a deeper sense of meaning, status seeking and hierarchy quietly take their place as life’s default goals.
- Ask What Do You Like Doing?
What makes you feel alive? For me, it’s football, learning new things, diving into strategy, and lately exploring the power of storytelling. Life with someone can be great, but a life built on self-driven progress isn’t bad either. Stories shape reality. Narratives can move hearts, shift perceptions. They’re powerful enough to make people believe almost anything. It’s like winding up a toy, the narrative becomes the fuel that sets it in motion, driving everything it does.
- Imagine Your Final Speech in Heaven
Picture this: You’re at the end. You meet the maker. You get two minutes to reflect on your life. What would you say? Would you be able to say, “I gave it my all”? “I succeeded at everything,” “I tried my best.” That’s the only mirror that matters.
- Avoid 2-Minute Dopamine Traps
Quick hits of pleasure scrolling, likes, distractions are numbing us. They’re shaping a generation that’s anxious, unfocused, and disconnected. I’ve written about this before, and I’m becoming more convinced that this is the silent epidemic of our times. I’m even considering helping people with therapy and mental health issues because emotional discipline and empathy are becoming rare and valuable skills.
I’m currently reading The Anxious Generation, and its early chapters paint a sad picture of what’s ahead. I’ll write a separate post on this.